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9yr old Jack Dempsey, how to prepare myself?!?

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My jack dempsey is about 9 years old, and he hasn't been acting more odd than usual, but I'm scared nonetheless. I know the average livespan is anywhere up to 10 years. He's eating regularly, swimming around, just being my plain old Jack. I'm treating him currently for ick, and the treament is going well, its cleared up almost completely with only the first treatment today.

I'm just wondering what is a jack dempsey's behavior like before they are about to die? Do they act differenly? Swim differently? I feel that i'm freaking out anytime I see him breathe harder than normal, or swim akwardly. I just want to try to prepare myself for when his time comes, because its going to break my heart. Any information would be amazing!

Just Curious what had caused a 9 year fish to catch ich. Did you recently add some new fish to his tank?

If you take your time to do the research FIRST, you can successfully set-up and keep ANY type of aquarium with ease."Not using a quarantine tank is like playing Russian roulette. Nobody wins the game, some people just get to play longer than others." - Anthony CalfoFishless CycleCycling with FishMarine Aquarium Info [URL="http://saltwater.aquaticcommunity.com/"]

Have you added an airstone to his tank? Anytime medication is used, you need to increase the oxygen. Adding those mollies caused more harm than they did good. Did you put them in the tank for him to eat because I'd be surprised if he didn't. If so, do not give him live fish to eat. Give him a good brand of cichlid pellets.

I didn't add an airstone, i'll pick one up tomorrow morning, thanks for the advice. He's eaten pellets and sweet peas today, so I don't think he'll eat them just yet. They weren't meant for that, they've actually made him more social, he's been out of his cave a lot more than usual, swimming around and exploring. The other fish in the tank are all bottom feeders and never come out, so he was extremely used to being king of the tank with no one else. Although you are right, I shouldn't have added the fish, it was a risk.

Sorry to hear about the ich . LH's is right , lower the water and turn up the heat some and I hope that helps . Good looking Jack . How big is he ? I have a pair that have been together 2 or 3 years ( I can't remember exactly ) .The male is about 7.5-8 inches and the females at least 6.5 inches. I know how you feel about yours . I don't know what I would do if anything were to happen to Anthony and Betty-Boop . They are just like family . Good luck and keep us informed of his progress .

My jack lived to 11 he probably would of made it longer but I had to give him to a friend when he was 10 because I couldn't have aquariums where I moved. Before I gave him away he was mean as hell and around 10 inches also very active still; he'd always lip lock with my pike cichlid in my 75g he always held about 60% of the tank to himself. I hope yours recovers from ich but when they get that old it's much harder to spring back from an illness. Though your guy seems on the mend :)

Some nice pics of jacks on here mine was my best looking and favorite fish of all time in fact he was my first fish I was pretty sad when he passed. I need to scan pics of him so I can show you guys he was a beast.